JOSHUA TREE: Community rallies to stop bobcat trapping

(Page 3 of 3)

More from this story

Trending

Whether or not the Joshua Tree population is in danger, residents have made it clear they donât want their bobcats bothered.

Joshua Tree resident Karen Tracy, 63, said the bobcats she used to see around her home are gone.

âThese cats were regulars, and almost family members, because they were known by their markings and they came at regular hours,â Tracy said.

She is among several residents who have traveled to Sacramento to lobby for AB 1213, the Bobcat Protection Act, introduced by Assemblyman Richard Bloom, D-Santa Monica.

The bill, which would ban bobcat trapping along the borders of Joshua Tree National Park, has passed the Assembly and is awaiting a Senate appropriations committee hearing Aug. 12.

OâKey said the legislation is being closely watched by his neighbors.

âIt definitely has motivated a lot of people,â OâKey said. âThere was one trip early on where at least 15 people took it upon themselves to spend their money and drive all the way to Sacramento just to tell them that they strongly support this bill.â

Facing the billâs opponents, primarily the hunting community, has strengthened the small town, he said.

âIt literally became the world against Joshua Tree,â he said. âI would say it has been one of the most significant things to come to the community at large, and one of the biggest binders of people of opposite interests.â

Chamber of Commerce spokesman Shteir said the passage of AB 1213 may just be the beginning.

âI think the success of the legislation will further galvanize the community on other environmental issues. It raises a larger question: How do we envision our park and our community in the future?â

Join the conversation

Keep it civil and stay on topic. No profanity, vulgarity, racial slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. By posting your comment, you agree to allow Freedom Communications, Inc. the right to republish your name and comment in additional Freedom publications without any notification or payment.